Apostrophe

1. Apostrophe Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form BJohn Langan

2. Apostrophe • There are two different uses of the apostrophe. • Use the apostrophe with a contraction, a shortened form of a word. • Use the apostrophe to show ownership or possession. • A cowboy’s outfit can’t help but stand out in a crowd.

3. Contractions • When two words are combined to make one word, an apostrophe is used to showwhere letters have been omitted. This is called a contraction. • Contractions are reserved for informal occasions. I + have = I’ve did + not = didn’t let + us = let’s

4. Contractions • You MUST put the apostrophe where the letters are missing. • INCORRECT: • Cowboys do’nt ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. • Correct: • Cowboysdon’t ride on the same type of saddles as your cousin does. The apostrophe shows the “o” has been left out.

5. Contractions The combinationwill + not =won’t This is an unusual contraction. Many mothers won’t let their sons become cowboys.

6. Contractions Note: The word it’s has two meanings. It`s too late to watch a cowboy movie. (It is too late.) It`s been years since cowboy songs were popular. (It has been years.) It is OR It has

7. they’re= they are their=belonging to them it’s=it is or it has its=belonging to it you’re=you are your=belonging to you who’s=who is whose=belonging to whom Four Special Contractions Don’t confuse certain tricky contractions with similar sounding possessive words! Contractions Possessive Words

8. Possession • Use the apostrophe and an -s to form the possessive case. A cowboy’s work is never done. Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west.

9. Possession • The –’s goes with the owner or possessor. • A cowboy’s work is never done. • (cowboy is the possessor) • Frederic Remington’s art reflected the spirit of the wild west. • (Frederic Remington is the possessor) Remember to always include a break between the word and the –’s

10. Possession • For singular nouns ending in -s, it is also acceptable to form the possessive by adding an apostrophe without an s. Columbus’ horses, which he brought on his second voyage, were the first to arrive in the new world.

11. Possession • Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives do not use apostrophes. • We can recognize an Appaloosa by its distinct spots. • The spurs are ours.

12. Possession • Form the possessive of plural nouns by adding an apostrophe. • The wranglers’ gloves protected their hands from rope burns, cutting reins, and cold. • Indicate the possessive of plural nouns not ending in -s by adding an apostrophe and an -s. • Men’s clothing often indicates their profession.

13. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • Children and adults throughout the world celebrate a variety of holidays. Correct

14. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • American towns display fireworks as a highlight of patriotic celebrations. Correct

15. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • My fathers biggest barbecue is held on the Fourth of July. Incorrect: father’s

16. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). The United States postal service distributed a stamp commemorating Mexicos Cinco de Mayo. Incorrect: Mexico’s

17. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Many countries celebrate religious events as national holidays. NOTE: Countries is the plural form of country. Our country’s most popular holiday is Christmas. Correct

18. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Saint James Day is a festive day in Spain. Incorrect: James’

19. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Germanys and Italys religious celebrations are sometimes similar, even when it comes to food. Incorrect: Germany’s/ Italy’s

20. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). Christmas Eve and its traditional meal of seven fishes has a basis in Germany and Italy. Correct

21. Apostrophe Practice Review Directions: Identify as correct or incorrect (Click to see answer.). • In the 70s people did not decorate their homes for holidays, such as Saint Patricks Day and Halloween, to the extent that they do today. Incorrect: ’70s/Patrick’s